Matrix metalloproteinases as stromal effectors of human carcinoma progression: therapeutic implications.

摘要: The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are extracellular zinc-enzymes implicated in a number of physiological and pathological tissue remodeling processes, including cancer progression. For long time they have been thought to be produced by malignant cells specifically contribute tumor invasion, through their ability degrade components. However, studies performed over the last few years demonstrated that proteinases progression human carcinomas, most MMPs, fact predominantly expressed stromal not cells. Furthermore, membrane receptors, activators and/or binding sites for some these also found associated with These findings, together observation MMPs can cleave molecules controlling growth factor activities, suggest role during is limited facilitating cell invasion alone but likely participate other aspects phenotype. should regarded as pan-regulators neoformation characteristic tumors, which includes both epithelial expansion stroma formation. In this context, synthetic MMP inhibitors presently designed lead development new generation anticancer agents additional beneficial properties compared existing cytotoxic used treatment malignancies.